.NET Core C#

Import an SSH Key to an HSM using PKCS11

See more PKCS11 Examples

Demonstrates how to import an SSH private key to an HSM (smartcard or token).

Note: This example requires Chilkat v9.5.0.96 or later.

.NET Core C#

bool success = false;

// This example requires the Chilkat API to have been previously unlocked.
// See Global Unlock Sample for sample code.

// Note: Chilkat's PKCS11 implementation runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and other supported operating systems.

Chilkat.Pkcs11 pkcs11 = new Chilkat.Pkcs11();

// Use the PKCS11 driver (.dll, .so, .dylib) for your particular HSM.
// For example:
pkcs11.SharedLibPath = "C:/Program Files (x86)/Gemalto/IDGo 800 PKCS#11/IDPrimePKCS11.dll";

// Use your HSM's PIN.
string pin = "0000";

// Normal user = 1
int userType = 1;

// Establish a logged-on user session with the HSM.
success = pkcs11.QuickSession(userType,pin);
if (success == false) {
    Debug.WriteLine(pkcs11.LastErrorText);
    return;
}

// Create a PKCS11 template for importing the SSH key.
Chilkat.JsonObject jsonTemplate = new Chilkat.JsonObject();

// Indicate the key is to be stored on the token (i.e. it is not a session-only key)
jsonTemplate.UpdateBool("token",true);
// The key should have the ability to sign
jsonTemplate.UpdateBool("sign",true);

// Let's provide a few attributes to help us find the this key at a later time.
// See SSH Public-Key Authentication using an HSM

// The ID is byte data, so it should be base64 or hex.
// Specify "id" if passing base64 data, "id_hex" for hexidecimal, or "id_ascii" for directly copying the ascii bytes of the string.
// You can provide any ID of your choice.  It is optional.
jsonTemplate.UpdateString("id_hex","0A0B0C0D01020304");

// Optionally specify a label.
jsonTemplate.UpdateString("label","MySshKey");

// Load the SSH key to be imported to the HSM (smartcard or token)
Chilkat.SshKey sshKey = new Chilkat.SshKey();
sshKey.Password = "password_of_the_encrypted_ppk_file";
string ppkContents = sshKey.LoadText("c:/my_ssh_keys/someSshKey.ppk");
success = sshKey.FromPuttyPrivateKey(ppkContents);
if (success == false) {
    Debug.WriteLine(sshKey.LastErrorText);
    return;
}

// Import the SSH private key onto the HSM.
// The PKCS11 handle to the imported private key is returned.
// A 0 is returned on failure.
uint privKeyHandle = pkcs11.ImportSshKey(sshKey,jsonTemplate);
if (privKeyHandle == 0) {
    Debug.WriteLine(pkcs11.LastErrorText);
    return;
}

// The private key handle is only valid during the PKCS11 session.
// If you wish to use the private key in another PKCS11 session,
// you'll first need to find it.  See  SSH Public-Key Authentication using a Smartcard
Debug.WriteLine("private key handle: " + Convert.ToString(privKeyHandle));

Debug.WriteLine("Successfully imported the SSH key onto the HSM.");

pkcs11.Logout();
pkcs11.CloseSession();